Plenty Good Room

Plenty Good Room

Chester Alwes (Composer)
SATB divisi, a cappella

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I do not receive any compensation for posting these anthems here; I just think they are terrific. Evelyn

on Leadership - by Grace Murray Hopper

You manage things;

you lead people.

Grace Murray Hopper

One Less Soldier’s Widow

 “Give me one less soldier’s widow,” I hear you cry at me.

 “One less flag-draped casket,” you sigh pathetically.

 “One less gun salute, we don’t need guns no more.

 “One less sound of Taps,” you say. “We’ll have an end of war.”

 As the soldier’s wife became a widow, his children remained free.

 As one flag draped his casket, it whispered ‘Old Glory’.

 As the rifles cracked in honor, they shattered tyranny.

 As the trumpet solo carried, the note pledged Liberty.

 Every death brings sorrow, and every sorrow pain.

 A sacrifice bravely given changes bitter loss to gain.

 For if we had one less widow we would have a weaker stand.

 And if one less casket, an undefended land.

 Degradation would erupt if there were one less gun salute.

 We’d hear the cry of slavery if Taps were to fall mute.

 So preach to me of peace and the fellowship of men.

 But know that fellowship and peace were bought

 By each fallen veteran.

Pray for America

Pray for America

Kenn Mann (Composer), Richard Kingsmore (Arranger)
SATB, Piano

“Based on 2 Chronicles 7:14, we are implored to turn to Christ for healing in our land."

Lorenz home site

I do not receive any compensation for posting these anthems here; I just think they are terrific. ejr

on Leadership - by Baltasar Gracian

A single lie destroys a whole reputation for integrity.

Baltasar Gracian

When the World says, "Live like you were dying."

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

Each of us has had that turning point where we stop and declare "from now on, I'm not going to miss out anymore!"  It happened to me -- it happened to you.  There's even a terrific song and accompanying gift-book that support the attitude to live like you were dying.

I figure it took me 45 years to get to this realization.  I've thoroughly enjoyed the years since then.  I figure I have at least 40 more years left.

Fun.  Fun.  Fun.  Don't you wish it could go on forever?

It can.

If you believe in God, you will live forever.  Not your body; your soul.

We are eternal beings locked for less than a century in this body.

So, as you live day by day, live like you are eternal!!

When the World says, "Live like you were dying,"

God says, "You have eternal life."

Wow, God!  As I learn to fully live in this body during this lifetime, help me also to learn things that will help me through all eternity:  Grace, Joy, Hope, Love.  Amen

That Promised Land

That Promised Land

Ruth Elaine Schram (Arranger)
Two-part Any Combination of Voices, Piano

Lorenz home site

I do not receive any compensation for posting these anthems here; I just think they are terrific. ejr

on Leadership - by Max DePree

The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality.  The last is to say thank you.  In between the two, the leader must become a servant and a debtor.  That sums up the progress of an artful leader.

Max DePree

When the World Says, "You're on your own."

John 16:7
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

            You've been on your own for a long time now, and you like it that way.  You were trained to be self-sufficient and you stand on your own two feet.

But as humans, we are social beings.  We do best in groups.  We like touching each other -- physically and emotionally.  We get lonely.
Even among a crowd, we feel all alone.  Lamentations 1:1 begins with "How lonely sits the city so full of people!"

Sometimes the loneliness is more than we can bear.

God knows this.  he created us to be social creatures.  He wants to be in touch with you all the time, so He sends His presence to abide, comfort, strengthen and encourage you.

When you are drowning in loneliness, open your heat and welcome God's Comforter.

When the World says, "You're on your own,"
God says, "I will send you a Comforter."

My Savior, you  know me - I do things by myself.  I'm proud of being able to survive when most other people wouldn't have.  But do I always have to be on my own?  Let me understand and acknowledge your presence.  Thank you for being with me.  I can do this on my own, but I'd much rather have You with me, comforting me, guiding me, supporting me.  In your name I pray, Amen.

 

The Mystery of the Savior’s Love

The Mystery of the Savior’s Love

Ruth Elaine Schram (Composer), Paul Baertschi (Composer)
SATB, Piano

Lorenz home site

I do not receive any compensation for posting these anthems here; I just think they are terrific. ejr

on Leadership - by Confucius

Our greatest glory is not in never failing,

but in rising every time we fail.

Confucius

When the World says, "You're disabled."

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.  The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

You were given a Purple Heart.  It's in the shoebox along with all the rest of the medals and ribbons.  

You were given a snappy little plastic thing you hang on your rear-view mirror that matches your car tag.

 You bristle when someone offers to help you through a doorway or into a seat or in the grocery store.  You bristle at their offers because they see you as "disabled."

That's a label.  Like red-head or preacher or homeless or star.  People tend to treat you a certain way when all they see is your label.

But God sees beyond the physical attributes.  God sees your heart.  He knows if your heart is healthy or dark.  That's what's important.

Not only does He see the heart of you, He will send people into your life who also see beyond the flesh and blood; beyond the labels.

Learn to recognize those people who see beyond your disability.

Become a person who sees beyond others' labels, too.

When the World says, "You're disabled."

God says, "I look at your heart."

Jesus, I look in the mirror and think about how the world sees me.  Thank you so much for not having such a limited vision.  You see my heart.  You hold my soul in your Hands.  Help others see me the way You see me.  Help me see others the way You see them.  Amen.

One at the Feast

One at the Feast

Pamela Martin (Author), Craig Courtney (Composer)
Two-part mixed, Piano

“where there are no second-class citizens”

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I do not receive any compensation for posting these anthems here; I just think they are terrific. ejr